Explore the medieval world through its art in one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe
Year of entry: 2020
Chat with staff and current students to find out what postgraduate study at York is really like.
Register nowMedieval culture is an open chapter, it has been constantly rethought and reinterpreted in subsequent epochs.
You'll explore the extraordinarily rich material legacy of the period, including the shaping of urban structures, places of worship, sites of government, and universities. You'll be able to study in one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Our flexible course enables you to learn about art geographically across much of Europe and the Islamic world, and particularly the material culture of the British Isles. You can investigate a wide variety of art objects and their related visual practices, take modules from related disciplines, as well as a module that is jointly taught in collaboration with our partners (eg the Tate or the V&A).
We have developed successful partnerships with museums, churches and galleries which will enrich your medieval studies and may offer you placement opportunities and privileged access to collections of medieval art.
Studying for an MA has allowed me the freedom to independently research topics I find intriguing, and through this independent study it has encouraged me to form my own opinions and question the secondary literature, as well as scrutinise the primary sources themselves.Eleanor, MA in History of Art (Medieval Art & Medievalisms)Read more about the course from Eleanor.
You play an active role in building your degree, developing a heightened methodological awareness, and designing research projects. You'll forge a more sophisticated understanding of how artworks create meaning, and why some artworks have been deemed culturally more significant than others.
The course enables you to develop advanced communication skills and effective project management. You'll acquire a high level of expertise in visual analysis and art historical research through object-focused study and an intensively researched MA dissertation.
You can develop your interdisciplinary interests by taking modules with the Centre for Medieval Studies, or in related disciplines such as history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, sociology and others. Due to the impact of the medieval on subsequent eras you'll also study medieval revivals and be taught by specialists in later time periods which will encourage transhistorical work.
Our expert academic staff support you every step of the way through small-group teaching, individual tutorials and field trips. You'll benefit from our specialist knowledge covering the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance and Reformation.
At least two of your option modules, your research skills module and your dissertation must be completed on Medieval Art and Medievalisms. You can either specialise entirely in this area, or select up to two option modules from other fields.
Taken full-time, the one-year taught MA consists of:
If you study the course part-time you'll take one option in each of the Autumn and Spring Terms, and work on your dissertation during the Summer Terms and vacations.
You'll study one core module and four option modules.
Core module
Medieval Art and Medievalisms: Research Skills and Methods (10 credits)
Option modules (20 credits each)
The list of options offered each year will vary according to staff availability, but will include modules to which curatorial or research staff from our partners will contribute. It is expected that more modules will be added before the start of the academic year.
Term 1
Term 2
You can choose up to two option modules from those offered by other humanities departments and our interdisciplinary centres.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You'll complete your dissertation during the Summer Term and summer vacation with the support of your academic supervisor. The dissertation will be 15,000 words. You'll submit this in September, and it will account for 50% of your final degree mark.
Recent dissertation topics have included:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
I am focusing on medieval stained glass traditions. In the city you will meet with an abundance of churches. All slightly different but all a treasure trove of medieval delights. One of my modules ‘Art and Imagery of the York Minster’ is based in the Minster itself and at King’s Manor. Being able to learn about a building whilst being in the building itself is incredible.Becca, MA History of Art (Medieval Art and Medievalisms)Read more from Becca in her blog. Read more from our students.
| Study mode | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £8,040 | £18,240 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£4,020 | £9,120 |
Students on a Tier 4 Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study. Fees for subsequent years are subject to increase (no more than 2% each year).
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK/EU or international student.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
A wide range of funding opportunities includes placements with funding from the Department's partnership studentships with museums and galleries, AHRC-funded studentships offered via the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities, departmental studentships, overseas scholarships, travel fellowships, and funding for students with specific research interests.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Study the great Gothic York Minster, its archive and library, the city of York and its churches. Explore internationally important collections of sculpture from the early Anglo-Saxon period onwards, and medieval stained glass at the Minster and York churches. Visit significant monuments nearby include the great Cistercian abbeys of Fountains and Rievaulx, and nineteenth-century revivalist churches in the Wolds.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Each option module is taught by weekly two-hour seminars, and the core module is taught on a fortnightly basis. You'll have the opportunity to go on field-trips organised by the Department to view art and architecture, these will be an integral part of your learning.
You'll be taught with lectures, seminars and one-to-one meetings with your lecturer or supervisor. You'll have between seven and nine hours on average per week of classes.
You'll study independently for 31-33 hours per week on average. This time gives you space to read widely and develop your thoughts on specialised topics.
We offer an extensive programme of research seminars and events which are an invaluable way to engage with different aspects of your subject, along with discussing module themes with your peers, and the staff weekly office hours.
You'll be part of the vibrant interdisciplinary Humanities Research Centre and as a History of Art student you'll also have access to extensive resources. There is a specialist library collection for stained glass and conservation studies at King's Manor, part of the campus in the city. You'll be able to attend related lectures, conferences or site visits offered by the Medieval Art and Medievalisms Research School.
You will be based in the Department of History of Art on Campus West.
Most of your contact hours will be in Vanbrugh College, with some additional teaching on Campus West and King's Manor in the city.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll submit a 4,000 word essay per option module. For the Research Skills module you'll produce a dissertation synopsis as your assessment. You'll also complete a dissertation.
Watch our to find out more about your career and placement opportunities.
We offer amazing partnerships and placements with numerous museums and galleries that will help you in your future career. We work with York Minster, the York Museums Trust, the National Gallery, Tate, and the V&A. We have excellent relationships with regional museums, galleries, churches and country houses— including the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Castle Howard, the Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and the Henry Moore Institute. Our collaborations will support your learning and research through modules jointly designed with the partnership institution, and with opportunities for exclusive partnership studentships, work experience and privileged access to collections. The course prepares you for higher research degrees and a range of possible careers. Read about some of our alumni and where their degree has taken them.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent. We welcome students who have previously studied History of Art, but also those from other backgrounds. |
| Other qualifications and experience | We will consider applications from mature students or applicants without formal academic qualifications if you have substantial related experience. We may ask you for an interview in this instance. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current IELTS scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start it, save it and finish it later.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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